Sometimes being a single mother is a deliberate choice. Other times, it’s not. But no matter how a woman becomes one, it doesn’t take long for her to prove that she is everything she needs to be to her children — and more. Here are some of our favorite celebrity moms who have been or still are single mothers, and the things they have said about this beautiful role in their family.

29 Single Mom Quotes

1.“I truly have a village supporting me. My son has godmothers, godfathers, grandparents, and so many others in his life who love him as much as I do. They’re there for both of us. I may not have a mate or husband, but I’m definitely not a single parent.” — Jill Scott, singer and actress

2. “As a single mom, I’m juggling a lot and working long hours. Yes, it costs them a little, but what my children get in return is a mother who is energized and content. It helps us to bring out the best in each other, which is what a family should do.” — Edie Falco, actress

3. “There are so many women out there who are single moms, really not by choice, and doing it and making it work every day. I think it’s becoming much more a part of our culture and I hope that it will become more accepted and that those women are going to be more and more appreciated, respected, and supported.” — Connie Britton, actress and singer

4. “I think it’s really important for every mother to find their own way.” — Solange Knowles, singer

5. “A single mom tries when things are hard. She never gives up. She believes in her family, even when things are tough. She knows that above all things… a mother’s love is more than enough.” — Deniece Williams, singer

6. “So far I’m not surprised by anything about being a mom. It’s all pretty great — but that’s what I expected.” — Charlize Theron, actress

7. “In truth, I am a single mother. But I don’t feel alone at all in parenting my daughter. Krishna has a whole other side of her family who loves her, too. And so Krishna is parented by me, but also by her grandmother and aunts and cousins and uncles and friends.” — Padma Lakshmi, TV host and author

8. “I think moms, single or not, put a lot of pressure on ourselves trying to balance it all. It’s NEVER going to be perfectly balanced — the sooner you know this, the sooner you can relieve some of the pressure you put on yourself.” — Denise Richards, actress

9. “I would say to any single parent currently feeling the weight of stereotype or stigmatization that I am prouder of my years as a single mother than of any other part of my life.” — J.K. Rowling, author

10. “Motherhood has completely changed me. It’s just about like the most completely humbling experience that I’ve ever had. I think that it puts you in your place because it really forces you to address the issues that you claim to believe in and if you can’t stand up to those principles when you’re raising a child, forget it.” — Diane Keaton, actress, director and author

11. “Go, ‘Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!’ That’s the wonderful thing about mothers: you can because you must, and you just do.” — Kate Winslet, actress

12. “I was accused by a female Malawian judge that because I was divorced, I was an unfit mother. I fought the supreme court and I won. It took almost another year and many lawyers…And looking back, I do not regret one moment of the fight.” — Madonna, singer and actress

13. “I had a mission. I had to make my dream come true. If I didn’t, what was I proving to my son?” — Taraji P. Henson, actress

14. “I learned a lot from my Mom. My favorite lesson: Remember there is no such thing as a certain way to parent and to remember that you are learning along with your child — it’s ok to make mistakes.” — Regina King, actress

16. “Remember that a single mom is just like any other mom and that our number one priority is still our kids. Any parent does whatever it takes for their kids and a single mother is no different.” — Paula Miranda, actress

19. “I don’t think you necessarily have to be part of a traditional nuclear family to be a good mother.” — Mary Louise Parker, actress

20. “My family is blended and diverse, nutty, and loving and understanding. That’s a family.” — Sandra Bullock, actress

21. “There are so many joys to being a parent that when I think about the hardships… it’s hard to really come up with those as much as it is to really sort of articulate the joys.” — Katie Couric, journalist

22. “I want to show the example that you can be a single mother and work and handle a lot of other things at the same time.” — Christina Milian, singer and actress

24. “I had a lot of guilt as a single mother trying to raise a child. I had to go to work and Jeffrey was screaming that he didn’t want me to. You have to give yourself permission to let go of the guilt.” –– Sherri Shepherd, actress and comedian

25. “Because your child is your first priority, you’re more selective, so in order to let someone into that world, they have to be really special. You cut out the bullsh*t that you might fall for if you didn’t have responsibilities.” — Helena Christiansen, model/photographer

26. “I was really young when I divorced his father, so I raised him trying to set the best example and give him the best that I could…When people compliment me on him, on how well mannered, how charming, funny and well-behaved he is, it makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.” — Sofia Vergara, actress

27. “I am positive, determined to move forward with my life, bring up my babies, and do the best job I can as a mother, entertainer, and person.” — Jennifer Lopez, actress and singer

28. “There is no fear when you choose love. The more you choose love, the more love is in your life. It gets easier and easier.” — Melissa Etheridge, singer/songwriter

Kim Bongiorno is an author, freelance writer, and the award-winning blogger behind Let Me Start By Saying. She lives in New Jersey with her handsome husband and two charmingly loud kids, who she pretends to listen to while playing on Facebook and Twitter. If she were less tired, she'd totally add something really clever to her bio so you'd never forget this moment. Visit Kim on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest.